Boys Prep of the Week: Carlos Miranda, Palmetto Ridge track and field

Coaches may send in nominations for prep of the week by emailing sports@naplesnews.com. The deadline is 9 a.m. Mondays.

For the past four years, Palmetto Ridge distance runner Carlos Miranda has been one of the best in the state. Because of injury, however, Miranda doesn't have any state championship trophies on his mantle.

Despite the absence of shiny hardware, a testament to the senior's abilities is a running scholarship to the University of Florida, where he will enroll as a freshman in the fall.

On Friday at the FSU Relays in Tallahassee, Miranda made a statement that not only is he one of the best distance runners in Florida, he is also one of the best in the country.

In the Elite 3,200-meter invite, featuring some of the best prep runners in the country, Miranda placed third behind Mac Macoy of Vestavia Hills High in Alabama and Grant Nykaza of Beecher High in Illinois.

Though Miranda's time of 9:09.48 was two seconds slower than those posted by the winner, it is more than 23 seconds faster than his previous personal best, set earlier this season at the Bear Run Invitational.

More impressive is that the time represents the sixth-fastest in the country by a high schooler this season. Even more impressive is that Miranda, after battling with anemia since the fall, is not yet at full strength.

"Truly an extraordinary race," Gulf Coast distance coach Paul Barlow wrote in an email to the Daily News.

The bout with anemia devastated Miranda's chances at the state cross country meet in November. Earlier in the cross country season, Miranda had won the elite FLrunners.com meet and his third straight regional title.

However, the anemia sapped Miranda's energy at the state meet and he placed a disappointing 23rd. His comeback has been gradual.

"We've been coming along real slow all spring," Bears track coach Kim Butts said. "We knew he was getting stronger. His race Friday was a continuation of training. Now everything is coming to fruition. Everything is coming around for him."

OTHERS CONSIDERED

Lee Shearer, Naples High track — Ran a personal best time of 9:26.71 in the boys 3,200 on Friday at the FSU Invitational in Tallahassee. He set the school record in the event. The time also places him among the top 10 in Class 3A.

Brandon Tirado, Gulf Coast track — Set a school record in the discus with a mark of 162-7 at the FSU Relays. He placed fourth in the event.

Kieran DiGiorno, Naples High lacrosse — Had four goals and six assists in the Golden Eagles' 16-2 win over Immokalee on Friday.

Mason Kleist, Barron Collier baseball — Threw a shutout in a 6-0 district win over Naples on Friday.